A DMV salvage title in North Carolina is an ownership document that vehicle owners need to possess when they own vehicles declared as salvaged. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) issues salvage title certificates after motorists perform the corresponding application procedure. However, prior to beginning the process, vehicle owners may have to satisfy certain eligibility criteria and prepare a set of mandatory documents.

Moreover, the application procedure for a car salvage title expects that vehicle owners will satisfy the imposed requirements, according to their specific situation. For instance, motorists may have to not only prepare and submit the needed paperwork, but also perform an inspection on their salvaged vehicles. For more information on discovering how to get a salvage title in North Carolina and which requirements are mandatory, continue reading the following sections.

What is a North Carolina salvage title?

A North Carolina salvage certificate is a legal document that can be used as proof of ownership in various situations when motorists need to prove that they own the salvaged vehicle. Owners of salvage title cars must properly title and register them, just as for other types of motor vehicles. However, prior to beginning the application procedure, vehicle owners need to learn in which situations a salvaged car title is issued, in order to know whether the vehicles they own qualify as such or not.

In North Carolina, a motor vehicle is considered as salvaged when it has been damaged in a collision or under other circumstances to that extent that the repair cost exceeds 75 percent of its vehicle’s market value.

North Carolina Salvage Title Eligibility Requirements

Before a North Carolina DMV salvage title application procedure takes place, vehicle owners may have to satisfy certain eligibility criteria. When motorists apply for a salvage certificate for a motor vehicle that is six model years old or newer, they may be required first to inspect their motor vehicles for anti theft through the NC DMV license and theft bureau.

Moreover, when vehicle owners are selling or buying salvage motor vehicles, both legal entities that participate in the process might be required to satisfy certain requirements and provide the necessary information. Prior to purchasing a car salvage in North Carolina, motorists may have to take certain precautionary measures and have the vehicle inspected by a license and theft bureau.

How to Get a Salvage Title in North Carolina

North Carolina salvage car owners may need to file a total loss claim with their insurance companies before making a decision on whether to keep the ownership of the vehicle and apply for a salvage certificate in their names, or to transfer the ownership rights over to their insurance agencies. However, when a car insurance provider or an authorized agent pays a claim on a salvage motor vehicle, owners may have to notify the NC DMV of the damage and title transfer within 10 days.

After vehicle owners decide that they will keep the ownership rights and will apply for a North Carolina DMV salvage title, they must perform the appropriate application procedure. To get a salvage certificate, motorists may be required to submit a Damage Disclosure Statement (form MVR-181) to the NC DMV containing the following information:

  • Vehicle information: year, make, body style and vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Details about the condition of the salvage vehicle
  • Signatures from the buyer and the seller of the salvage vehicle

After obtaining a salvage title in North Carolina, drivers may choose to either sell the car or repair it and apply for a rebuilt title certificate.

Note: Another type of salvage vehicle is the rebuilt salvage title vehicle, which has been rebuilt for title and registration purposes.

Salvage Car Inspections in North Carolina

When applying for a North Carolina salvage title, applicants may be required to have their vehicles inspected. A salvage vehicle inspection may be required as part of the requirements for the titling procedure of salvaged or damaged vehicles.

Furthermore, when the salvaged or damaged motor vehicle is six model years old or newer, applicants will have to have their vehicles inspected for anti theft. The anti-theft inspection is performed by the NC DMV License and Theft Bureau.

Note: When purchasing a salvage in North Carolina, buyers are encouraged to carefully choose their vehicles and to have them inspected at the NC DMV License and Theft Bureau beforehand.

North Carolina Salvage Title Fees

Motorists who are wondering about the North Carolina salvage title value need to discover more information about the applicable fees prior to making any payments. Since each application procedure consists of a final step that requires motorists to submit payment for the applicable fees, motorists expect that they will have to pay the exact amount of money that corresponds to this situation. However, the NC DMV does not have a strictly determined salvage title fee. Therefore, vehicle owners need to contact the NC DMV prior to making a payment in order to avoid future inconveniences.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.